The Virtual Business Lifestyle Netbook Top 4: How to be Mobile and Productive!

Location: Home Office – Reading Time: 7mins

As an entrepreneur that is proud to say he is working less and less inside the office and more and more pretty much anywhere I like, the importance of technology has really struck me over the last year, but more so, of mobile technology – allowing that Virtual Business Lifestyle that I love so much. Although running my outsourcing partner company is fundamentally the bulk of what I do, I am always working on new projects, one of which is my first full-blown eBook featuring a bucket full of telesales tips and telemarketing techniques, called Telesales Magic, which will be launched in the New Year sometime.

The emergence of a new category of small, portable, and inexpensive laptop computers, known as netbooks, is fast becoming a must-have device for general computing and accessing web-based applications whilst on the move. Here I run down my personal fave’s, based on playing around with them myself and through what friends have told me.

Samsung NC10 – Considered a top class netbook in terms of performance, power and price, this professional looking netbook has an exceptional build quality that is reinforced with a chrome exterior.

The specifications include: Intel Atom N270 1.6 GHz processor, 1 GB Ram, and 160 GB HDD provide a high level of performance and storage, but its RAM slot is limited to 1 GB only. In terms of power, it tops the class 6-cell battery by running for more than five hours. It comes with Windows XP. With a full width keyboard and weighing 1.33 kg, other features are Bluetooth, wired and wireless connectivity, 3 in 1 multi card reader, 1.3 mega pixel webcam, 3 USB ports and VGA output. The 10.2 display has a vibrant 1024×600 resolution.

Its major advantages are its spacious keyboard and it provides six long hours of long battery life, making it an ideal travel companion anywhere. This netbook can be bought for around $419.00

MSI Wind – Touted as a great mini-notebook, the MSI Wind follows the tradition set by ASUS EeePC. It boasts an excellent build quality and matte textured LCD display with LED backlight.

The specifications include: Intel Atom N270 1.6Ghz processor, Windows XP operating system, 10-inch WSVGA display with 1024×600 resolution, 120GB SATA I for the hard drive, Ethernet, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, USB 2.0 port, 1.3 webcam and microphone, 4-in-1 card reader. Power usage requires 100~ 240V AC, 50/60Hz. Weight is 2.3 lbs or 1 kg. Users can choose from four colors and two hard ware configurations – 80GB or 120GB. Battery performance (3-cell) is measured at 3 hours per charge.

With a price tag of around $500, give or take a few bucks, you can enjoy its energetic display, excellent keyboard, and an easy upgrade for its storage device. Plus it is very friendly on your lap because it does heat too much.

Lenovo S10 – A 10-inch netbook introduced by Lenovo, it looks like any other notebook but it includes features that are impressive enough to make it as one of the top choices.

Specifications include: 1.6-Ghz Intel Atom Processor, 5,400-rpm hard drive, 3- or 6-cell battery, Wi-Fi wireless and Bluetooth connectivity, 160-GB hard drive, 10.2-in WSVGA TFT LCD with antiglare technology, integrated camera and 1024×600 resolution, and Windows XP Home Edition operating system. For the 3-cell battery, it weighs 1.2 kg.

It is affordable, stylish and easy to carry, but it has smaller keyboard that users may find difficulty. The starting price is $359.

HP Mini 5101 – This is what I use personally, with an upgraded 6-cell battery. I hardly touch it when I am home, but when I travel I use it for everything. Just like the post I did a few weeks back when I was in Bangkok on how to work with your PA when traveling.

A business class netbook from HP, the Mini 5101, has a strong build quality and a fine keyboard.

Specification include: 1.66GHz Intel Atom N280 CPU, 1GB RAM, 160GB hard drive, 6-cell, 55WHr battery, 10.1 inch, 1024×600 resolution, 802.11a/b/g/n wireless, Bluetooth, and Windows XP Home Edition operating system. Other configuration options include a 1366×768 resolution, a 4-cell, 29Whr battery, and SUSE Linux. Weight is 1.2 kg. Battery life is estimated to be in range of 5-7 hours. A 2-megapixel webcam offers excellent images while stereo speakers provide loud and balanced sound.

Pricing starts at $399.99 and the recommended configuration is set at $425. All in all, the product’s price, design and extended battery life make it very appealing to business travelers. And, honestly speaking, in all the reviews I checked out before purchasing it myself nobody had anything really negative to say about it – hence my decision to go ahead with it.

Bottom line – get mobile. Stay mobile. And enjoy being mobile. Being handcuffed to that desk of yours doesn’t, and in this day and age (especially as a business owner) shouldn’t have to happen.

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